Cover image via Cutter's Edge ConsultingEnglish is widely known to be a borrowed language
This means that many of its words were derived or "adopted" from other languages.
And you'd be surprised to know just how many of those words actually have its origins rooted in Malay!
Note: All etymologies and facts below were obtained from [A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the English Language](https://archive.org/details/AComprehensiveEtymologicalDictionaryOfTheEnglishLanguageByErnestKlein), [The World Atlas Of Language And Structures Online](http://wals.info/), The [Online Etymology Dictionary](http://www.etymonline.com/index.php) and [Collins Dictionary](https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/launch).
Here are 14 English words that have Malay origins:
1. Tea
Most words for "tea" in each language were ultimately of [Chinese](http://wals.info/chapter/138) origin but differ based on their coming of different routes.
Before "tea" became the dominant term, the popular beverage was mainly known as *chaa*, derived from the Portuguese *[chá](http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=tea&allowed_in_frame=0)*. *Chá* was likely derived from the Mandarin *[ch'a](http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=tea&allowed_in_frame=0)*.
Its new form which is now more common in modern English is derived from the Malay *[teh](https://archive.org/stream/AComprehensiveEtymologicalDictionaryOfTheEnglishLanguageByErnestKlein/A%20Comprehensive%20Etymological%20Dictionary%20of%20the%20English%20Language%20by%20Ernest%20Klein#page/n803/mode/2up/search/tea)*. *Teh* was, in turn, a derivation from the word *[t'e](https://archive.org/stream/AComprehensiveEtymologicalDictionaryOfTheEnglishLanguageByErnestKlein/A%20Comprehensive%20Etymological%20Dictionary%20of%20the%20English%20Language%20by%20Ernest%20Klein#page/n803/mode/2up/search/tea)*, from the Amoy Hokkien dialect.
Image via Equal Exchange
2. Paddy
Image via Shutterstock
The word "paddy" is derived from the Malay word *[padi](https://archive.org/stream/AComprehensiveEtymologicalDictionaryOfTheEnglishLanguageByErnestKlein/A%20Comprehensive%20Etymological%20Dictionary%20of%20the%20English%20Language%20by%20Ernest%20Klein#page/n569/mode/2up/search/paddy)*, which means "rice in the straw". Its first known use was in 1623.
3. Compound
A compound refers to any fenced or walled area that contains a group of buildings or residences.
It was first used in 1679 and was derived from the Dutch *[kampoeng](http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=compound)* which in turn was derived from the Malay *[kampong](http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=compound)*.
Image via The Edge
4. Launch (boat)
A launch is an open motorboat. It was used mainly during the Second World War by the United Kingdom's Royal Navy to defend the coast against submarines.
The first known use of the word "launch" was in 1967, likely derived from the Portugese *[lancha](https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/launch)* which in turn was derived from the Malay *[lancharan](https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/launch)*. The boat was called *lancharan* in Malay since its root word *lanchar* referred to a fast and gliding action.
Image via Wikimedia Commons
5. Rattan
Rattan is derived from the Malay word *[rotan](https://archive.org/stream/AComprehensiveEtymologicalDictionaryOfTheEnglishLanguageByErnestKlein/A%20Comprehensive%20Etymological%20Dictionary%20of%20the%20English%20Language%20by%20Ernest%20Klein#page/n665/mode/2up/search/rattann)* which in turn is derived from *[raut](https://archive.org/stream/AComprehensiveEtymologicalDictionaryOfTheEnglishLanguageByErnestKlein/A%20Comprehensive%20Etymological%20Dictionary%20of%20the%20English%20Language%20by%20Ernest%20Klein#page/n665/mode/2up/search/rattan)*, which means "to trim or strip".
Image via Sale New Jerseys
6. Cootie
A cootie refers to a head louse. It is a small insect that lives in people's hair. Its use was popularised in 1917 and was derived from the Malay word *[kutu](http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=cootie)*.
Image via Wikimedia Commons
7. Ketchup
While Malaysians usually refer to it as "tomato sauce", "ketchup" is the dominant term in American English.
The word "ketchup" was derived from the Malay *[kĕchap](https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/ketchup)*, a term used to refer to a sauce Chinese traders brought to Melaka centuries ago. *Kĕchap* was in turn derived from the Cantonese *[ke-tsiap](https://archive.org/stream/AComprehensiveEtymologicalDictionaryOfTheEnglishLanguageByErnestKlein/A%20Comprehensive%20Etymological%20Dictionary%20of%20the%20English%20Language%20by%20Ernest%20Klein#page/n433/mode/2up/search/ketchup)*.
Image via BBC
8. Amok
The phrase "running amok" means for someone to be out of control, especially when they're armed and dangerous.
It was adopted into English from the Portuguese *[amouco](http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=amok)* which in turn originated from the Malay *[amok](https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/amok)*. Back then, the word "amok" was associated with individuals (often men) who went into a frenzy, carrying a weapon trying to either kill or seriously injure anyone in their path. These "amok" episodes were a common occurence in the older days of Malaya.
Image via Hello Magazine
9. Caddy
A caddy is a small box that is usually used to keep tea. It was derived from the word "catty" which in turn was derived from the Malay *[kati](https://archive.org/stream/AComprehensiveEtymologicalDictionaryOfTheEnglishLanguageByErnestKlein/A%20Comprehensive%20Etymological%20Dictionary%20of%20the%20English%20Language%20by%20Ernest%20Klein#page/n121/mode/2up/search/caddy)*.
Both "catty" and "*kati*" referred to a unit of weight equivalent to 0.61kg. Its first known use was in 1792.
Image via Bettys
10. Gong
Gong, referring to the Chinese instrument, was derived from the Malay *[gong](https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/gong)* and was first used in 1590.
Malays called the instrument "*gong*" to replicate the sound it makes.
Image via Wikimedia Commons
11. Cockatoo
Image via San Diego Zoo
A cockatoo is a type of parrot. The word's first known use was in 1634 and stemmed from the Dutch *[kaketoe](http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=cockatoo&allowed_in_frame=0)* which in turn was derived from the Malay *[kakatua](https://archive.org/stream/AComprehensiveEtymologicalDictionaryOfTheEnglishLanguageByErnestKlein/A%20Comprehensive%20Etymological%20Dictionary%20of%20the%20English%20Language%20by%20Ernest%20Klein#page/n165/mode/2up/search/cockatoo)*.
12. Japan
The English word for Japan stems from the Portuguese *[Japao](http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Japan&allowed_in_frame=0)* which was derived from the Malay *[Japang](http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Japan&allowed_in_frame=0)*, the language's old word for Japan. Malays likely derived *Japang* from the Chinese *[jih pun](http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Japan&allowed_in_frame=0)*.
It is thought that Portuguese traders who encountered the word in 16th century Melaka were the first to bring the word to Europe. Its first use in English was in 1577 and was spelled as "Giapan".
Image via The Flag Shop
13. Bamboo
Image via Concerned Patriot
The word "bamboo" is derived from the Dutch word *[bamboes](https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/bamboo)*. *Bamboes* originated from the Malay *[mambu](https://archive.org/stream/AComprehensiveEtymologicalDictionaryOfTheEnglishLanguageByErnestKlein/A%20Comprehensive%20Etymological%20Dictionary%20of%20the%20English%20Language%20by%20Ernest%20Klein#page/n83/mode/2up/search/bamboo)*, which was its old word for bamboo.
14. Gecko
A gecko is a small lizard found mostly in areas with warm climates.
The word first came into use in 1774 and was derived from the Malay *[gekok](http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=gecko&allowed_in_frame=0)*. It was called *gekok* to imitate the sound of the animal's cry.
Image via National Geographic
